Thank you for the outpouring of love and respect that was shown to Rabbanith Ruth Menashe (Ruth bat Ahuva), 'a"h, at the Hespedim, and the Shib'ah in
Yerushalayim and Great Neck, NY. The extraordinary and incomprehensible attendance and turnout was nothing short of humbling and a deep and meaningful tribute to our beloved Rabbanith Ruth.

How to Tie the Lulab

Binding the 4 Species

There are several customs concerning the tying of the Lulab (Ashk: Lulav). We are presenting here, the two most common customs.

You will need a Lulab, 3 Hadassim (myrtle) and two ‘Araboth (willows), apart from the Ethrogh which is held separately. These make up the four species.

The length of the Lulab must be no less than 4 Tefahim (handbreadths) and the tip should not be cut or broken. Hadas and ‘Arabah must be no less than 3 Tefahim. The leaves of the Hadas must be in clusters of 3 and they must both be fresh and not dried out.

They are tied as follows:

Sephardi

Ashkenazi

Place the Lulab in front of you, so that the spine is facing you.

Place the Lulav in front of you, so that the spine is facing you.

1. Place one Hadas (Myrtle branch) slightly to the right of the Lulab’s spine.

Place the second Hadas completely to the right.

Place the third Hadas to it’s left.

1. Place a basket with holders for the branches, on the lulab.

2. Place one ‘Arabah (Willow branch) on the Hadassim on the right and the other on the left.

2. Place all three Hadassim (Myrtle branches) in the basket on the right.

3. Tie them together in three places on the spine (to represent the three Aboth (Patiarchs, o.b.m), with double or bow knots.

3. Place the two Aravot (Willow stems) in the basket on the left.

The Hadassim should be higher than the ‘Araboth.

When they are carried for ritual purposes, the Lulab and Ethrogh are held together, with the Lulab in the right hand and the Ethrogh in the left. They should be carried in this way, even when holding a Siddur (Prayer Book).

All the items must be placed and held in the direction in which they grow, i.e. the tops of the stems/branches facing up.

To learn what these 4 species represent and how they are used, visit our main Sukkoth page.